Dorff, who lives off his $1,530 Social Security checks, explained that he used his phone line for his low-speed AOL dial-up subscription – and insists he could never have used the internet enough to warrant receiving such a huge bill.

It says the company explained that Dorff’s modem, for some reason, had been dialing a long-distance number when it was accessing AOL for long spells, prompting huge charges.

The spokeswoman said this issue had been resolved. But when asked to explain why the sky-high fees had not been spotted and resolved earlier, she is reported as saying: ‘This is a rare occurrence, and we address it on an individual basis.’

A new law signed by President Obama will make the popular Medicare supplement plan F illegal. Reforming SGR (the Sustainable Growth Rate), commonly referred to as “doc fix” has been a goal of Congress for years. The new law, passed on a bi-partisan vote and signed by the President saves millions of dollars for Medicare but also will outlaw Medigap plan F.

Medicare supplement plan F

The most popular plan among Georgia seniors is Medigap plan F. This is especially true for retirees turning age 65. Most GA retirees lose their regular health insurance plan at age 65 and want to leave behind all the copay’s, deductibles and coinsurance.

So they buy Medicare supplement plan F. Your plan F pays 100% of approved Medicare Part A and Part B expenses. What could be more simple?

We think there are better values than F and do our best to educate clients on ways to get the most VALUE for their dollar.

With more than 170 different Medigap plans in Georgia, how do you find the right one?

It’s almost impossible to do that by yourself. Most sites on the internet are data harvesting sites that will take your information and sell it to dozens of agents. The more sites you visit, the more phone calls you will get from brokers trying to sell you anything and everything.

Even the sites (like GA Medigap Quotes) that offer instant rates only have 20 or so plans to pick from. Most carriers do not allow their rates to be illustrated online so the only way to get information on all plans is to talk with a broker specializing in Medicare.

Bob Vineyard has more than 40 years in the health insurance business and focuses his practice 100% on the Medicare market. Bob is a baby boomer, going on Medicare in September, 2015. He can identify with your concerns and will take the time to explain all your options.

New law bans Medigap plan F

Congress wants to “save” Medicare and they will do so by making US PAY MORE.

Higher premiums.

Higher deductibles.

And BANNING Medicare supplement plan F.

President Obama recently signed the most significant Medicare legislation in years–a plan to fix a Medicare formula that threatened to slash payments to doctors every year. The law achieves several positive Medicare reforms, but it will increase some costs for enrollees.

But the plan comes with a significant price tag. It will increase federal deficit spending by $141 billion from 2015-25, and it calls for savings to the government by boosting premiums for high-income seniors ($34.7 billion in savings) and by prohibiting Medigap from covering the Part B deductible for new enrollees beginning in 2020 ($400 million in savings). The plan also will mean somewhat higher Part B premiums spread across the entire base of seniors. – MorningStar

Starting in 2020 the government will no longer allow plan F to be sold.

Presumably, if you have plan F now you will be “grandfathered” in and be allowed to keep it. That’s good news for those who have F now or will be purchasing when they turn age 65.

Why does the government want to tell you what kind of plan you can and cannot have if it is YOUR money?

The goal is to give seniors more “skin in the game,” which conservatives have long argued would lower costs by making patients think twice about using medical services if they know they must pay something for all services they use.
The idea is to encourage enrollees to utilize less health care by eliminating first-dollar coverage. Research confirms that higher out-of-pocket expense will result in people using fewer services, but that’s not always a good thing. A 2011 study by National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) found that beneficiaries may avoid necessary services that worsen their health in the long run, increasing the need for more intensive care and driving up Medicare costs. The NAIC report also found that once patients do seek care, it is doctors and other health-care providers who drive up utilization, not patients.

Apparently the folks in DC think we LIKE going to the doctor. If they penalize us by making us pay MORE to see a doctor this will save Medicare.

But what does it do to us? Will we become sicker as a group when we can’t afford to go to the doctor because Washington wants to do what they think is best?

Stop overpaying!

Are you currently paying too much for your Medicare supplement plan? Most people are, by an average of $500 per year. That is money that could be in YOUR pocket instead of going to the insurance carrier.

Does Medicare cover thyroid testing?

As a general rule, Medicare Part B covers most preventive screening including most tests for thyroid issues. Do you have hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid)? How do you know? What kind of tests are involved in checking my thyroid? Will Medicare pay for those tests?

What happens when your doctor checks your thyroid?

Your thyroid rests just below your Adams apple. During a routine exam, such as your Welcome to Medicare exam, your doctor may ask you to hold your head back and swallow. While you are swallowing your doctor is feeling for bumps or nodules on your thyroid.

If your doctor detects an abnormality in your thyroid they may recommend additional testing such as a thyroid scan and uptake, imaging testing or perhaps a needle biopsy.

Most diagnostic testing is covered by Medicare Part B. If you have Medicare supplement plan F your out of pocket for approved claims would be $0.

Several Georgia Medicare supplement plans have competitive rates. Often we can save our clients $450 per year or more with no loss of coverage.

Georgia Medicare Supplement rates increase less than 10%, but not by much. Most Medigap plans have limited premium increases to less than 10% for the last few years. Two of our preferred carriers raised rates by 4% (Equitable) and 3% (New Era). BCBSGA increased some rates in January while lowering the other rates. Continental Life (Aetna subsidiary) is withdrawing from the Georgia Medicare supplement market and simultaneously increasing rates for new and existing policyholders by up to 9.5%.

Double digit renewals have declined medicare supplement rate increases since 2010. Rate changes on new business have also declined to the 5% range. Prior to 2012 Medigap rate adjustments of 10% to 15% or more were common, especially for the “big name” carriers.

Is now the time to change and lock in low rates?

Georgia Medicare Supplement Rates

Females generally pay lower rates than males. If you live in a rural area your rates will typically be less than the same plan in Atlanta, Macon, Savannah or Augusta. Tobacco users pay more than those who do not use tobacco.

Medigap plan F still remains the most popular plan but it is also overpriced compared to plan G or N in most situations. Even if you find a “bargain” on Medicare supplement plan F the pricing advantage will most likely be lost on renewal.

There are a few exceptions.

We have carriers with very competitive rates for plan F in the following areas:

If you live in the zips listed above and have a Medigap plan F we can probably save you a lot of money.

Georgia Medigap plans & Prices

We have access to over 170 different Medicare supplement rates in Georgia. You will almost certainly save money when you allow us to help you shop the market.

Medicare Advantage surprise

Valerie bought a Medicare Advantage plan from a nice lady that came to her house and explained the benefits of having your medical and drug plan under one policy. Your new policy allows you to use a number of doctors and hospitals in their PPO network and you don’t have to worry about finding a Medicare drug plan.

The glossy brochure with smiling faces was reassuring to Valerie but she was concerned about the copay’s.

Don’t worry, she was told. Your copay’s are only $15 – $45 and most people don’t go to the doctor that much.

(Apparently the agent failed to notice Valerie was sitting in a wheel chair).

But what about my hospital stay’s? I was admitted twice last year.

No problem. You only owe for the first 7 days then nothing.

Valerie wanted to know if her medications were covered.

The agent looked over the list. “All but two are generic and will be covered. Your insulin is covered too but it isn’t generic”.

Valerie still felt a bit uneasy but enrolled any way.

The first time she filled her medications she was shocked to discover her medications (all 23 of them) were going to cost over $700 for a 30 day supply. Further, she found out that 3 of her med’s were not on the plan formulary.

She had no choice but to hand over her credit card. She needed the medications to live.

Fortunately she was in the Medicare Advantage disenrollment window when we talked. I suggested replacing her Medicare Advantage plan with original Medicare, Medigap plan F and a separate drug plan.

Valerie’s Advantage premium was $52 per month + copay’s.

The Medigap was going to run $120 per month but no copay’s. The drug plan added another $52 to her monthly premium but cut her drug costs by $500 per month!

Don’t get trapped in a plan you cannot afford.

Medicare Advantage disenrollment period

From now through February 14th you may elect to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan. If you are disappointed in your current Medicare Advantage plan for any reason you may disenroll from that plan and enroll in original Medicare. You may also qualify to enroll in a stand alone Medicare Part D drug plan.

In some situations you may qualify for a Medicare supplement plan without medical underwriting.